Device for separating and concentrating ores



Jan. 28, 1930. A, w, MCTAGGART 1,7445785 DEVICE FOR SEPARATING AND CONCENTRATING ORES Filed July 2l, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l 44) sefl il i5 .4,1 l l $11 ab nvvE/vroR ARTHUR WRAY MZ'QGQART ATTORNEYS Jan. 28, 1930. A, w MCTAGGART 1,744,785

DEVICE FOR SEPARTING AND CONCENTRATING ORES Filed July 21. 1927 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 0 O o o o o o o B o o o 'L 1 Q NVENTOR 'ARrHl/R WRAYMCRQQART BY y/M ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 28, 1930 ARTHUR WRAY MCTAGGART, OF ANY OX, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA.

DEVICE FOR SEPARATING AND CONCENTRATING CRESv Application led J'uly 21,

My invention relates toimprovements in devices for separating and concentrating ores which are adapted to function on the so called flotation method. The objects of the invention are to provide means whereby Values can be quickly and effectively separated from the accompanying gangue or one metal from another, and to provide a device for this purpose which can be strongly and lo economically made, and whereby wear upon moving parts, which isusually excessive in machines operating upon liquids carrying granular materials, is reduced to a minimum. Further objects are to provide means for a thorough and continuous agitation of the materials dealt with and their aeration during the flow of pulp through the machine.

The invention consists essentially of a tank substantially V-shaped in cross section, whlch is fitted adjacent its base with air inlets, and having a'I series of rotatable paddles which are ac apted to receive the incoming air or gas and impregnate therewith the pul fed to the tank, in such a manner as to pro uce a suitable frothing on the surface of the solution which is carried away to other tanks or devices through suitable launders, as will be more fully shown in the accompanying drawings and described in the following specification, in which:-

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the nvention.

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1.

Fig. 3 is a fractionated plan view showing the mounting of the baffles.

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view baliies. Y

Fig. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the agitator shafts and their paddles.

In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in each figure.

The numeral 1 indicates generally a tank comprising a oor 2, vertical end walls 3, and a pair of side walls 4 converging towards the floor 2. Extending along the upper edge of the side walls are a pair of launders 5, which are adapted to conduct metal bearing 60 froth produced from the tank to a suitable Aof the 1927. Serial No. 207,523.

receiver, not shown. The floor 2 and a portion of the side walls 4 are covered with a metal lining 6 as a protection against the scouring action of the pulp acted upon therein'. Extending longitudinally of the tank vare parallel shafts 7 and 8 which are preferably made up of outer portions 9 and intermediate portions 10 connected together by flange couplings l1. The outer portions 9 lare journalled in a pair of housings generally indicated by the numeral 12, each of which consists of a chambered body having an outer Wal 13v and an inner wall 14. The inner walls are provided with openings 15 which are very slightly greater in diameter than the shaft portions 9 which pass through them, so that no direct contact will be effected vbetween the shaft and the housing. The outer walls provide bearings 16 having packing glands 17 surrounding the shaft to prevent leakage therearound.

Communicating with the interspace 18 of each housing 12 is'-a'. feed pipe 19 through which fluid is admitted at apressure `somewhat in excess of the pressure developed by the head of liquid in the tank 1, so that a constant, but light, flow of fluid is passing around the shaft from the-interspace l8`to the tank to prevent the entrance of gritty material to the openings 15 of the inner Wall`14V or the bearings 16. For the purpose of draining off anysedi'ment entering the interspace 18 from the pipe 19., pet cocks 20 are provided. The shafts 7 and 8 are provided at one end with intermeshing gear wheels 21 of equal size, so that as rotation is imparted to one of said shafts from any suitable source of power, rotation is imparted to the other at a similar speed and in an o posite direction. A

plurality of double bla ed paddles 22 are f1tted throughout the length .of the intermediate portions 10 of the shafts 7 and 8, which paddles are of such a length as to reach from one shaft to within a relatively short distance of the other, and are so arranged that when one paddle is vertically disposed, the paddle on either side thereof is in a horizontal position, whereby when one set of paddles is horizontally disposed, a substantially unbroken paddle area will be presented between -number of paddles on its adjacent shaft, the

purpose of which will hereinafter appear. Communicating with each of the chambers 23 is a pipe 26 through which air or gas is admitted at any suitable pressure thereto.

A base opening 27 is formed in one end wall 3 of the tank 1, which communicates with an inlet passage 28 leading from a suitable source of pulp supply. The opposite end wall 3 is provided with an outlet 29 communicating with a discharge duct 30, the opening is preferably fitted with a weir 31 capable of being adjusted as to height to conform to any liquid level desired to be maintained in the tank. A partition 32 adjacent the outlet 29 extends downwards into the tank to a point substantially level with the housing 12 to form a vertical discharge passage 33 open at its base only, so as to communicate directly with the lower portion of the tank. Extending across the tank at opposite ends are pairs of baille supports 34 and 35 respectively, which are preferably formed of angle irons and are apertured as at 36, see Fig. 3. Pivotally suspended from the sup-` ports 34 by hooks 37 is a pair of baliies 38 which may be set at any desired separation according to the spacing of the apertures formed in the supports. These baliies are each provided with one or more brackets 39 projecting inwardly from their upper edges, the outer end of the bracket being pivotally connected to ay vertical rod 40, which is adapted to be secured in any desired position by inserting a pin 41 through any one of its apertures 42 and through a corresponding aperture in a' suitably disposed transverse member 43. Immediately above the baes 38 is a further' pair of baffles 44 provided with hooks 45 at opposite ends andiintermediate their height, which are adapted to engage apertures in the batie supports 35. Extending inwardly from each of the baiiies 44 are one or more brackets 46 having u wardly extending rods 47 capable of being astened in any desired position in a similar manner to that emp oyed in the rods 40, so that if desired, the ailes 44 may be set in sloping position. "Intermediate the height of the baiiies 44 are rows of apertures 48 whichl coincide substantially with the height of pulp level in' the tank.

Adjustably supported between the baliies 44 is a triangular deflector 49 disposed with its apex downwards, and provided at opposite ends with vertical apertured straps 50 set in motion at a substantially high speed' to agitate the pulp, which is impregnated with a suitable oil. Air or gas is admitted lthrough the pipes 26 to the chambers 23 at suiiicient pressure Ato cause it to exude therefrom at the invert of the arcuate cut away portions or scallops 25 of the walls 24, which positions are Icoincidental with the transverse centre of the paddles 22. The paddles in rapidly beating the liquid pulp when moving in'a downward direction produce a cavitation which is satisfied by the air or gas from the chambers, onthe upward movement of each paddlethe said gas is liberated from the rotational infiuence of the paddles producing a high degree of aeration of the pulp and an emulsiiication of the oil therein. The emulsilication or frothing as it is generally known, elevates the values from the accompanying gangue, defiecting it by contact with the deflector 49 and causing it to pass through the apertures 48 of the baile's 44 into the frothing division from whence it flows into the launders 5 on the sides of the tank.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. An ore separating device for the treatment of liquid pulp, comprising a tank having a lioor, end walls and side walls, a pair of parallel batlles disposed longitudinally of said tank, said baiiles being pivotally mounted and capable of being set at an angle to each other, means for admitting a gas to the tank below the liquid line, means for reducing said gas to globular form, and means for liberating said globules upwards between the baiiies.

2. In an ore separting tank for the treatment fof liquid pulp, a horizontal shaft having a pluralityof paddles adapted to be rotated from a source of power, a gas inlet chamber having a side wall and a bottom opening; said side wall being disposed ad' jacent the peripheral path of said bales and having scallops along its lower edge for admitting gas in directed streams from the chamber into the wake of the paddles.

3. An ore separating deviceF of the character described comprising a tank, apair of pivotally mounted baiies extending longitudinally of the tank, a second! pair of pivotally mounted bales extending longitudinally above the lirst mentioned baiiies, the baiiies of both pairs being spaced apart to define a central compartment and the upper battles being apertured to place the intermediateportion of the compartment in communication with the surrounding portion of the tank agitating means contained in said tank and means for admitting gas to the tank in the vicinity of the agitatmg means.

4. An ore separating device ofthe character -described comprising a tank, upper and lower pairs of baiiie plates extending longitudinally of the tank and pivotally mounted therein, portions of said upper bafes being apertured to provide iow passages placing the space between the baiiies in communication with the surrounding portion of the tank and means :for effecting an upward flow of ore between said bales.

5. An ore'separating device of the character described comprising a tank, upper and lower pairs of longitudinally extending baille plates pivotally mounted in said tank, a vertically adjustable deflector positioned between the batHe plates, portions of said upper baiie plates being apertured to provide flow passages placing the space between said' baiie plates in communication with the surrounding portion of the tank and means for effecting an upward flow of ore between said baille plates. A y

6. An ore separating device of the character described comprising a tank,"a pair of longitudinally extending baiiie plates pivotally mounted'in said tank, means for securing the baffle plates in parallel or angular relation to each other, and meansfor fecting an 4upward ow of pulp between said -baliie plates, portions of said upper baille plates being apertured to provide iow passages placing the space between the baiie plates in communication with the surrounding portion of the tank.

Dated at Anyox, B. C., this 25th day of June, 1927.

40 ARTHUR WRAY 'MOTAGGARr 

